The regency period (1831-1840) was the most turbulent in all of Brazil's history, as well as one of the richest in terms of political organization, mobilization and debate. It was marked too by vigorous civic celebrations. The object of this paper are these events - like the 25 March (oath to the Constitution), the 7 April (Pedro I's resignation), the 7 September (Brazilian independence) and the 2 December (Pedro II's birthday). It first analyses the rituals of these celebrations, which reveal the intensions of the organizers, as well the tensions and conflicts that demonstrate deviations of their ideals. Secondly, it stress the civic rituals' role to mobilization of several social layers, to statement of national values and to legitimation of the monarchical power. The research sources are newspapers, pamphlets and City Council's documents.
civic rituals; political struggles; national identity